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Overview
African entrepreneurs have the solutions to Africa’s problems. Global funding is in flux, and investing in them has never been this urgent.
With AMI-supported businesses creating 25,000+ jobs in 2024, with 85% of direct jobs for women, it’s clear - building enterprise is the most effective way to address the jobs crisis and improve livelihoods
Africa’s entrepreneurs are investing in themselves to keep growing through global uncertainty. We must match their ambition with our support. From livelihood generators to industry-shaping scale-ups, no entrepreneur can be left behind.
Our key learnings from 2024
1. Growth = Jobs = Impact
Evidence-backed business support drives growth, jobs, and community impact. With SME support rising 7.5x to 28k in 2024, AMI-backed businesses grew 17% and jobs 18%, achieving a 16.8% three-year CAGR.
2. SME growth is a big bet for livelihoods
Supporting business growth is key to African prosperity amid global uncertainty. Every $1 invested in AMI programs yields $9.85 for employees, with 85% of new jobs created for women.
3. Entrepreneurs are investing in themselves
Alongside hundreds of larger firms investing in team growth through AMI, 259 small business founders self-funded AMI support in 2024. Africa’s entrepreneurs aren’t waiting for change—they’re creating it.
4. Youth and women are leading the way
Youth (77%) and women (50%) made up most participants, exceeding average business growth. Women created 64% of all jobs and held 85% of direct jobs generated.
5. Every entrepreneur. Every dream.
Unlocking Africa’s potential means building businesses at every level. Big firms matter, but so do nano entrepreneurs driving income for families and communities—where even small changes create lasting impact.
6. Systems innovation for the last mile
To support rural MSMEs effectively, we must use inclusive offline tech (like Telegram courses in local languages) and link them to AMI-trained local BDS providers. Government partnership is essential to success.
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7. Beyond the founder
Long-term success relies on leadership at every level. In 2024, AMI trained 4,035 managers, leaders, and high-potential youth to boost organizational competitiveness and shape practice and policy across key sectors.
‘I chose to grow’
Wanjiku Ng'ethe,
Founder Karen Fruits & Veges
Investing in business champions at every level
To address the jobs crisis, we need thriving businesses and people at every level - from rural nano businesses to resilient SMEs to industry-shaping scaleups and corporate titans. That's why we've developed a tailored and data-driven approach to business and human capital support that equips leaders and their teams to achieve their dreams, drive progress and create jobs, no matter their size.
Larger businesses create the most jobs, and Africa has too few of them. Human capital is a critical challenge for businesses aiming to compete at a regional, continental and global level. Our Enterprise division works with hundreds of these larger businesses - on a purely commercial basis - to train their teams, strengthen leadership and management, and drive performance for large scale impact and job creation.
Businesses create the largest numbers of absolute jobs, and with the right support can become regional and sector champions.
Businesses are the engine of our economies.
Our data shows that supporting nano and micro businesses drives resilience and protects jobs in the most fragile businesses - and we regularly see job-creating champions emerge from this segment, with those in the top 20% creating almost 5 jobs each - a huge increase from a small base.
Doubling down on the champions
The Top 20% of performers of businesses in programmes:
Created
of the jobs
81%
DOUBLED
their jobs
66%
increase in revenue
on avg. per business
44.4%
accessed finance
at an average ticket size of $47,500
‘I chose to grow’
The Grow Your Business (GYB) programme pushed me to face tough truths about my business, from poor planning to staff issues. But it also gave me practical tools to turn things around. I became more organised, improved accountability, and learned how to motivate my team. Since then, our revenue has grown by over 84% and we’ve hired a young team member for fulfilment.
Wanjiku Ng'ethe,
Founder Karen Fruits & Veges
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Read the report
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